On 7 May 2013, Friends of Europe, a leading Brussels-based think tank, will be hosting a café cross-fire lunch debate on seasonal influenza vaccination and how EU Member States can boost investment in cost-effective prevention at a time of pressing demographic change and budget deficits. The event, supported by Vaccines Europe, will feature participation and intervention from DG SANCO, MEPs and representatives of national permanent representations. Seasonal influenza constitutes a serious public health challenge bearing every year important costs on quality of life, healthcare systems’ sustainability and the economy. In order to achieve the goals of the Council Recommendation on seasonal influenza vaccination by the winter of 2014/15 more work is needed at national level to improve access and delivery of vaccines, particularly across the elderly, at risk populations and healthcare workers.